The Rainbow Isles

An archipelago that’s beauty is only matched by its danger.
Capital: none
Major Settlements: Gliston (10,000), Apex (8,000), Thunder Keep (9,000)
Ruler: Vicereine Lola Fayd of the Femiax, King Qanak Razortooth of the Lizardfolk, and Admiral Kog of the Sahauagin.
Government: assorted
Major Races: Sahauagin, Relluk, Lizardfolk, Undine, Femiax
Major Faiths: Chiuta, Neria, Saren, Veiloria, Nise, and elementalism
Resources: Lumber, Exotic Fruits, Dinosaur Hyde, Tar, Volcanic Rock, Fish, Tourism
Languages: Sahauagin, Relluk, Lizardfolk, Undine, Femiax, Common

History

To know the history of the archipelago known as The Rainbow Isles, is to know the meaning of beauty marred by greed and death. Long ago in the time of the elementals, the Undine built a great nautical empire on this string of tropical islands. Towering temple cities were erected in the jungles, and nigh endless navies were amassed. With subservience to their masters, the Undine had little to fear, for water was indeed the most powerful of elements. Yet the empire was not meant to last.

The New God Wars were not kind to the Undines’ empire. As the wars waged on, the demands of the water elementals grew harsher. The Undine were forced to cull their resources, overharvesting the islands’ trees to near extinction for the demand of boats. Then the wars came to the Rainbow Islands. Several gods allied to topple the Undine Empire and its masters, most exacting of which were Saren and Nise. The servants of the water elementals tried everything they could, even magically creating a new race of soldiers known as the Relluk, but to no avail. The empire was crushed, and the divine forces moved on to other warfronts, leaving the Undine and their child race to scatter.

Current Events

In the time since the fall of the oppressive elementals the Rainbow Isles have known much beauty and prosperity. The once slave race of Lizardfolk gathered their tribes together to form a single, great nation across several volcanic islands. From here, they tame the savage land, and trade. Across the archipelago the technologically advanced Femiax built a gleaming pleasure resort for the wealthy of their race, and other foreigners.

Yet, the Rainbow Isles knows evil and tragedy in equal proportions. When the the nautical empire of the Undine fell, the Sahauagin, sent from their own empire beneath the waves built a colony meant as a foothold for war. Now, the forces under Admiral Kog attempt to forcibly annex the Rainbow Isles and their inhabitants under the flag of the Deep Empire. The Undine, and Relluk that have remained, are easy pickings. The lucky ones have employed themselves with the Feminax or Lizardfolk, while the unlucky have resorted to isolated tribal lives that are all but defenseless to the military might of the Sahauagin war colony.

The only forces that prevent the Deep Empire from completely taking the Rainbow Isles for itself are the technologically superior Femiax, and the savagely protective Lizardfolk. Because of the travel of these three power’s ships, the heart of this archipelago remains a wilderness of ever-shifting borders, within which, many of the battered tribes find solace in the temples of their ancestors, and the whispers of their former elemental masters.

Major Settlements

Apex Seat of Admiral Kog’s power, Apex is a military colony built beneath the waves. Located on the edge of the sea shelf, it serves as a port of easy access for the Deep Empire. Though the Sahauagin have conquered the nearby islands for use to store slaves and sacked vessels, the bulk the Admiral’s forces is housed within the towers of Apex. Given its location, the Sahauagin believe that even the technologically superior Femiax would have a hard time felling the colony.
Gliston With their vast technology and wealth, the Femiax need not worry about merely surviving, but also how to spend their free time. Gliston, is a paradise resort dedicated to entertain and titillate the elite; built off the shores of crystal clear waters, and skirting lush, green tamed land. This marvel resort contains all the luxuries a future city could offer, such as wave riding, parasailing, and even scuba diving. Those of other races fortunate enough to share this pleasure complex alongside its beautiful creators find the luxuries and sights more than a fair trade for the air of superiority their hosts muster, even for the native Undine and Relluk that staff the resort.
Thunder Keep In the heart of the jungle is a great wall formed of the largest trees in the Lizardfolk Domain. Beyond it, is the capitol city of King Razortooth. It is a city of canvas and volcanic rock, where great lizards known as dinosaurs have been tamed for use by the once tribal inhabitants. Thunder Keep it is called for the many loud sounds that
fill the city, the stomping behemoths of burden, the roar of warriors’ mounts, and the rumbling of the island’s volcano. It is a city both intimidating and awe inspiring.

Intrigues (Hooks)

• Within the Ruined Empire at the heart of the Rainbow Isles is an Undine water cult that up until now has been little threat to the three great powers, but something has changed. Their chants and rituals grow more menacing, and worse lesser elementals have been spotted on their shores. Has the water cult discovered a means to summon their banished masters and renew their once great empire?
• One blissful night while enjoying the luxuries of Gliston, a Femiax staff member can be spied accepting a parcel from a hooded Sahauagin. Could this forebode a surprise attack on an unprepared resort or is it simply an admittedly odd liaison between unlikely lovers.
• While venturing off to trade with the Lizardfolk for the exotic fruits within their Domain, a Femiax trading vessel has gone missing. Not wishing to insight an incident with otherwise reliable trading partners, the security chief wishes to send someone unaffiliated with her task force to investigate the matter. Who better than some visiting adventurers?

Regional Traits

Native Endurance Hearing stories of past greatness while being subjected to the arrogance and wrath of outsiders has left you with a strong sense of self. You will outlast them. Gain a trait bonus of +1 to both Will and Fortitude saves.
Sense for the Sea Having lived amongst the many islands of the Rainbow Isles you have learned well how to survive the harsh life of a beautiful place. Gain a trait bonus of +2 to swim, and +2 to survival.